Muscle performance, electromyography and fibre type composition in fibromyalgia and work-related myalgia.

Muscle performance and fibre type composition were investigated in women with fibromyalgia, work-related trapezius myalgia and healthy volunteers. Each subject performed 100 repetitive shoulder flexions using an isokinetic dynamometer during simultaneous registration of surface electromyography. A biopsy from the trapezius muscle was obtained. The groups differed neither in mechanical performance nor in fibre type proportions. An inability to relax between contractions was found in all registered muscles in patients with fibromyalgia. The patients with work-related myalgia displayed an inability to relax only in the myalgic trapezius muscle. An inability to relax during repetitive movements might play an important role both in initiating and upholding muscle pain.

Alcohol consumption and complaints from the musculoskeletal system among engine drivers--an epidemiological study.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a positive correlation exist between level of alcohol consumption and complaints from the musculoskeletal system. 150 randomly selected engine drivers from Sweden were interviewed about complaints from the musculoskeletal system during the last 12 months. In this study the complaints from the neck, shoulders and lower back were investigated. An index counting number of regions with complaints was computed. The subjects were asked to report their level of alcohol consumption during the last month (beer, wine and spirits). The total alcohol consumption was calculated expressed in terms of 40% pure alcohol. The median consumption was 39.5 cl/month. The engine drivers reporting complaints from the neck had a significantly higher consumption of alcohol than those without such complaints. A positive significant correlation existed between the number of complaints (index) and alcohol consumption.